Shefali Luthra, a healthcare policy reporter at The 19th, and Mark McClellan, director of the Duke-Margolis Center, delve into the judicial pushback against recent healthcare funding cuts. They discuss the impact of funding challenges on NIH grants and academic research. The conversation also highlights how federal judges are influencing health policy transparency and the implications for vulnerable populations amid potential Medicaid cuts. They emphasize the urgent need for strong leadership within health agencies to navigate these tumultuous changes.

Alice Miranda Ollstein, a health reporter for Politico, Shefali Luthra from The 19th, and Victoria Knight of Axios unpack the House's budget plan attacking Medicaid funding. They discuss the potential fallout of these cuts, especially with one in five Americans reliant on the program. The conversation then shifts to the political tussle in the Senate and the ongoing judicial battles affecting healthcare policies, from NIH funding to abortion access. The panelists also share must-read health policy stories, rounding out a compelling discussion on healthcare's future.

Shefali Luthra, author of Undue Burden, discusses life and death decisions post-Roe. The podcast covers Justice Alito's opinion on voting discrimination, new merch, legal cases, and the complexities of abortion restrictions.

Joanne Kenen, a health policy reporter from Johns Hopkins and Politico, along with Shefali Luthra from The 19th, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet bring vibrant insights into recent health controversies. They discuss controversial HHS appointments under President-elect Trump and the implications for health agencies. The group also examines a pivotal legal challenge to a Tennessee law restricting gender-affirming care for minors and potential FDA regulation shifts regarding vaping products. Additionally, they explore systemic issues in Idaho’s coroner system.

Shefali Luthra, a journalist and author of 'Undue Burden,' delves into the fallout of the Roe v. Wade overturn. She powerfully details the grim reality of restricted abortion access and its impact on women's healthcare across the U.S. Luthra shines a light on the stark inequalities faced by low-income individuals, emphasizing how these bans disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The conversation critiques the limitations of current legislative measures and underscores the ongoing struggle for reproductive rights and gender-affirming care.